Thee, our God, forever and ever! Amen, and amen. MEDITATIONS ON A SOLITARY SABBATH. How amiable are thy Tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. I would acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, which has enabled me, in any degree, to love the habitations of his house, and the place where his honor dwelleth : -yet does it become me to be deeply humbled, that I have not better improved the Sabbaths I have formerly had an opportunity of enjoying that I have not made further progress in religion, notwithstanding the means of grace which have so long and so plentifully been bestowed. I would be solicitous to improve future Sabbaths to better purpose, if God spare my life—to be more serious and devout in prayer and thanksgiving more attentive in reading and hearing the Holy Scripture more careful in reflecting on what I have read and heard, and laboring after greater attainments in Christian experience. How delightful is it to think in how many assemblies, and by how many rational and immortal creatures, God is this day honored, — how many humble and devout souls are now, with fervent hearts, offering the sacrifice of prayer and praise, acceptable to him through Jesus Christ. Though absent in body, I desire to be present with them in spirit, and to taste something of their joys. How wonderful is the presence and providence of God!"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro, through all the earth," beholding with complacency every devout Christian, in what obscure place soever he may be. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only with his church in general, but with every sincere disciple: and the promise of his Spirit is made to every individual who sincerely seeks for its influence. The presence of God can make a retired chamber a little sanctuary, and give his devout servants reason to say, "Surely God is in this place, this is indeed the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Though the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob, yet on the latter his bless ing rests. How yet more elevating is it to think of the general assembly and church of the first-born above; where God is worshipped by a thousand times ten thousand happy spirits, once the inhabitants of earth, and subject to the same sufferings, inconveniences, and difficulties as its present inhabitants; but now perfectly free from them all, joining in the sublimest strains of gratitude and praise, and loaded with all the blessing which an almighty and perfectly good Being can bestow. How animating is the description of the heavenly world given by St. John! that there shall be no more curse, that his servants shall serve him and they shall see his face, that his name shall be in their foreheads. Every one shall be a priest unto God, and "holiness to the Lord" shall be, as it were, inscribed on every one. Blessed are they that dwell in his house below: they are still praising him! - Blessed, thrice blessed, inexpressibly, inconceivably blessed are they who dwell in his heavenly temple, where no sickness nor weariness affects them: no aching head, no dull languid heart, no extreme circumstances prevent, retard, or interrupt their worship, nor embitter the pleasure, nor hinder the profit of it. They hear nothing in others, they feel nothing in themselves which gives them concern or uneasiness. All is devotion, joy, and rapture, and the happiness of each increases the happiness of all. On that blessed assembly the Sun of Righteousness ever shines, and every joy that heart can wish, or God bestow, is theirs, and theirs forever! One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire his will in his temple: and thus go from strength to strength, till I appear before God in the heavenly Zion. LIGHT of light enlighten me Fount of all our joy and peace, To thy living waters lead me; Thou from earth my soul release And with grace and mercy feed me; Bless thy word that it may prove Rich in fruits that thou dost love. Rest in me and I in thee, Build a Paradise within me; Oh reveal thyself to me Blessed one, who died'st to win me; Fed from thine exhaustless urn Pure and bright my lamp shall burn. Hence all care and vanity For the day to God is holy; Come thou glorious majesty Deign to fill this temple lowly; Nought to-day my soul shall move, Simply resting in thy love. 85 Selections from Scripture. SUPPLICATION. REBUKE me not in thine anger; neither correct me in thy heavy displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord, heal me for my bones are vexed. My soul also is sore troubled. My time is in thy hand, O let me not be confounded; show thy servant the light of thy countenance, and save me for thy mercy's sake. O give me the comfort of thy help again; cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Be thou my strong rock and an house of defence, that thou mayest save me; be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy names' sake. Into thy hand I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth. In God is my health and my glory; He is the rock of my might; in God is my trust. CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy |